Ahern fuels reshuffle row with de Valera quit remarks

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern re-ignited the reshuffle row yesterday with a blunt signal to junior minister Síle de Valera she will have to leave office this year.

The extraordinary public move capped a week of upset in Fianna Fáil ranks still jittery after the bitter Seán Haughey furore.

The Taoiseach’s intervention came on the same day he held an “amicable” meeting with Mr Haughey to discuss the TD’s disappointment at being overlooked in the shake-up.